Weather Service forecaster Leigh Anne Eaton said some parts of Big Island had already seen almost 3ft (90cm) or rain.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service said there had been "catastrophic flooding" and wind gusts reaching 67mph (108 kmph).

Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) chief Brock Long took to Twitter to warn those in Hawaii to "heed the warnings of local officials and stay aware of your surroundings" until the danger had passed.

Image copyrightHawaii Department of Transportation. Image caption
An image from the Hawaiian Department of Transportation posted a photo of a landslide blocking a highway on the Big Island/

"For everyone thinking they can ride this storm out, I have news for you: that will be one of the biggest mistakes you can make in your life." Mayor of New Orleans Ray Nagin ahead of Hurricane Gustav, 2008